This is the current affairs of 28 & 29 June 2023. Here are 10 questions and answers of daily current affairs for better preparation of competitive exams for government jobs.
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1. The Union Cabinet approved the bill to set up the National Research Foundation (NRF), who will be its chairman?
a. Prime Minister
b. Minister of Education
c. Defense Minister
d. Minister of Science and Technology
Answer: a. Prime Minister
– The Central Cabinet approved the National Research Foundation (NRF) Bill to be presented in Parliament on June 28, 2023.
– After the approval in Parliament, this institution will promote and develop research and development (R&D) in the country.
– It will enhance the culture of research and innovation in Indian universities, colleges, research institutes, and R&D labs.
– The central government can present the NRF Bill in Parliament during the monsoon session.
The NRF will have a budget of 50,000 crore rupees.
– It will be a premier body in the country to provide strategic direction for high-level scientific research.
– The estimated cost of this initiative over five years (2023-28) will be 50,000 crore rupees.
– The Department of Science and Technology (DST) will be the administrative department for NRF.
– It will have a governing board consisting of renowned researchers and professionals from various disciplines.
– The Prime Minister will be the Chairman of the governing board, and the Minister of Science and Technology and the Minister of Education will be the Co-Chairmen.
SERB to be merged with NIRF.
– This bill will also abolish the Science and Engineering Research Board (SERB), established by an Act of Parliament in 2008.
– It will be merged with NIRF.
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2. On which river the first underwater tunnel will be constructed in Assam, which has been approved by the central government?
a. Kallang River
b. Brahmaputra River
c. Jatinganadi
d. Krishna River
Answer: b. Brahmaputra River
– For the first time in Assam, a tunnel will be constructed under the river.
– This tunnel will have both railway and road routes.
– It will be the first rail-road tunnel under the Brahmaputra River in Northeast India.
– Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma announced it in June 2023.
– This tunnel will connect Numaligarh and Gohpur.
– The central government has approved this project.
Important Facts:
– Underwater Tunnel Project Name: Groundbreaking Project
– Project Cost: 6,000 crore rupees
– Tunnel Length: 15 kilometers
What will be the benefits?
– Connecting the northern and southern banks of the Brahmaputra River between Numaligarh and Gohpur.
– It will facilitate easier trade.
– It will boost tourism.
– Currently, people cross the river with the help of bridges, but during bad weather, it causes significant inconvenience.
Chief Minister: Himanta Biswa Sarma
Governor: Gulab Chand Kataria
Capital: Dispur
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Sahitya Akademi Yuva Puraskar 2023
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3. Which writer was given the Sahitya Akademi Yuva Puraskar 2023 for Hindi language?
a. Bhagwant Anmol
b. Anirudh Kanisetty
c. Atul Kumar Rai
d. Meghsingh
Answer: c. Atul Kumar Rai
– Atul Kumar Rai has been selected for the Sahitya Akademi Yuva Puraskar (Youth Award) for his novel ‘Chandpur ki Chanda’.
– He is a Hindi novelist, screenplay writer, music composer, and lyricist.
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4. Which writer has been selected for the Sahitya Akademi Yuva Puraskar 2023 for English language?
a. Devendra Mewadi
b. Anmol Jha
c. Sudipto Sen
d. Anirudh Kanisetty
Answer: d. Anirudh Kanisetty
– The award is for the book ‘Lords of the Deccan: Sultans of India from the Chalukyas to the Cholas’.
– Anirudh Kanisetti is a historian.
– ‘Lords of the Deccan’ is a book about the medieval history of South India.
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List of winners of Sahitya Akademi Yuva Puraskar 2023:
Language, Winner and Masterpiece
1. Hindi – Atul Kumar Ray: “Chandpur Ki Chanda” (Novel)
2. English – Anirudh Kanisetti: “Lords of the Deccan: Sultans of India from the Chalukyas to the Cholas” (Book)
3. Assamese – Jintu Gitarth: “Man Mora Tora” (Short Story)
4. Bengali – Hamiruddin Midya: “Matharkha” (Short Story)
5. Bodo – Mainavastri Daimari: “Sam, Jiu, Aro…” (Poetry)
6. Dogri – Dheeraj Bismil: “Ahlada” (Play)
7. Gujarati – Sagar Shah: “Gate Tugedhar” (Short Story)
8. Kannada – Manjunayak Chalur: “Phoo Mattu Itara Kathegalu” (Short Story)
9. Kashmiri – Nighat Nasreen: “Lale Nilavath Chale N Jaa” (Poetry)
10. Konkani – Tanvi Kamat: “Bambolkar Shots” (Short Story)
11. Malayalam – Ganesh Puthur: “Achante Almara” (Poetry)
12. Marathi – Vishakha Vishwanath: “Swathala Swataruviruddha Ubhankaratana” (Poetry)
13. Nepali – Naina Adhikari: “Ghat-Pratighataka Udgarharu” (Poetry)
14. Punjabi – Sandeep: “Chitthi Da Jugrafia” (Poetry)
15. Rajasthani – Devilal Mahiya: “Antas Ro Olamo” (Poetry)
16. Santali – Bapi Tudoo: “Dusi” (Short Story)
17. Sindhi – Monika J. Panjwani: “Glamour” (Short Story)
18. Tamil – Ram Thangam: “Thirukarathiyal” (Short Story)
19. Telugu – Johnny Takkesila: “Vivechani” (Criticism)
20. Urdu – Taufeeq Bareilvi: “Jahan Jad” (Short Story)
The winners of Maithili, Manipuri, and Sanskrit Yuva Puraskar will be announced later.
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Sahitya Akademi Bal Sahitya Puraskar 2023
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5. Sahitya Akademi has selected whom for the ‘Bal Sahitya Puraskar 2023’ for Hindi language?
a. Suryanath Singh
b. Gurmeet
c. Badri Narayan
d. Daya Prakash Sinha
Answer: a. Suryanath Singh
– Under the presidency of Madhav Kaushik, the executive board of Sahitya Akademi announced the Bal Sahitya Puraskar 2023 on June 22, 2023.
– The announcement of winners was made for a total of 22 different languages.
– For children’s literature in Hindi, the book “Kautuk App” by Suryanath Singh was selected.
– Suryanath Singh is a storyteller.
– Among his published works, the story collection “Kuch Rang Benoor,” along with the novel “Chalti Chaki,” and children’s literature “Sher Singh Ko Mili Kahani,” “Barf Ke Aadmi,” “Bijli Ke Khambo Jaise Log” gained popularity.
Sahitya Akademi Bal Sahitya Puraskar:
– The award includes a cash prize of 50,000 rupees and a copper plaque.
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6. Who has been selected by the Sahitya Akademi for the ‘Bal Sahitya Puraskar 2023’ for the English language?
a. Manoj Dara
b. Sudha Murty
c. Anuradha Roy
d. Guru Charan Das
Answer: b. Sudha Murty
– Sudha Murty received this award for her book “Grandparents’ Bag of Stories” in the English language.
– Sudha Murty is an Indian teacher and writer. She is also the chairperson of the Infosys Foundation. She is the wife of N. R. Narayana Murthy.
– She has been honored with the Padma Shri in 2006 and the Padma Bhushan in 2023.
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Sahitya Akademi Bal Sahitya Puraskar 2023
Language, Winner and Masterpiece
1. Hindi – Suryanath Singh: “Kautuk App” (Short Stories)
2. English – Sudha Murty: “Grandparents’ Bag of Stories” (Novel)
3. Assamese – Rathiendranath Goswami: “Povalamoni Chinchhingar Duhakshahakshik Abhijnan” (Novel)
4. Bengali – Shyamal Kanti Das: “Aeroplane-er Katha” (Novel)
5. Bodo – Pratima Nandi: “Narzari G’ Saini Gojon Nojor” (Short Stories)
6. Dogri – Balwan Singh: “JamoDiya Kanjkan” (Poetry)
7. Gujarati – Rakshaben Prahlad Rao Dave: “Hu Myau Tun Chhun Chhun” (Poetry and Stories)
8. Kannada – Vijayashree Haladimane: “Surakki Gate” (Novel)
9. Konkani – Tukaram Rama Shet: “Jaane” (Novel)
10. Maithili – Akshay Anand “Sunny”: “Ol Katara, Jhol Katara” (Poetry)
11. Malayalam – Priya A.S.: “Perumalayate Kunjithalugal” (Novel)
12. Marathi – Ekanath Awad: “Chhand Dei Anand” (Poetry)
13. Nepali – Madhusudan Bishwakarma: “Bal Ekanki Natkaharu” (Plays)
14. Odia – Jugalkishor Shadangi: “Jejenka Gap Ganthili” (Stories)
15. Rajasthani – Kiran Badal: “Tabaran Ri Duniya” (Memoirs)
16. Sanskrit – Radhavallabh Tripathi: “Manavi” (Novel)
17. Santali – Manasingh Majhi: “Nene-Pete” (Stories)
18. Sindhi – Dholanu Rahi: “Vanganmal Ji Shadi” (Poetry)
19. Tamil – Uday Shankar: “Adanin Bommai” (Novel)
20. Telugu – D.K. Chaduvula Babu: “Vajrala Vana” (Stories)
21. Urdu – Matin Achaalpuri: “Mamta Ki Dor” (Book)
22. Punjabi – Gurmeet Kadialvi: “Sachi Di Kahani” (Book)
– This year, no Bal Sahitya Puraskar was given in the Kashmiri language.
– The announcement of the Bal Sahitya Puraskar in the Manipuri language will be made later.
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7. When is National Statistics Day celebrated?
a. 27 June
b. 28 June
c. 29 June
d. 30 June
Answer: c. 29 June
Theme 2023
– Alignment of State Indicator Framework with National Indicator Framework for Monitoring Sustainable Development Goals(SDG)
– This day is celebrated on the occasion of Prasanta Chandra Mahalanobis’ birth anniversary.
– He was a genius in statistics.
– He was born on June 29, 1893.
– The establishment of the Indian Statistical Institute, including conducting the census and other surveys in the country, was done by Mahalanobis in 1931.
– In 2007, the central government declared June 29 as Statistics Day.
– This day is celebrated to raise public awareness about the importance of statistics in formulating social and economic policies.
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8. Name the Deputy Chief Minister of Chhattisgarh?
a. TS Singh Deo
b. DK ShivaKumar
c. Mallikarjun Kharge
d. Bhupesh Baghel
Answer: a. TS Singh Deo
– Bhupesh Baghel is the Chief Minister of Chhattisgarh.
– T.S. Singh Deo has been appointed as the Deputy Chief Minister in the state.
– He was previously a Cabinet Minister in the state.
Chhattisgarh:
Governor – Vishwabhushan Harichandan
Capital – Raipur
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9. When is the International Day of the Tropics celebrated?
a. 27 June
b. 28 June
c. 29 June
d. 30 June
Answer: c. 29 June
– The tropical region lies between the Tropic of Cancer and the Tropic of Capricorn on the Earth.
– Despite covering only 40% of the Earth’s total surface area, the tropical regions host 80% of all biodiversity. However, they are facing the highest rate of environmental damage due to deforestation, climate change, and urbanization.
– The objective of this day is to celebrate the extraordinary diversity of tropical regions, highlighting the unique challenges and opportunities that lie ahead for nations.
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10. Who became the new MD and CEO of Hindustan Unilever Limited (HUL)?
a. Rakesh Sardana
b. Vivek Kumar
c. Rohit Java
d. Vishwas Patel
Answer: c. Rohit Java
– He took Sanjeev Mehta’s place.
– Hindustan Unilever Limited (HUL) is a consumer goods company with British ownership.
– Its headquarters is located in Mumbai.
– It is a subsidiary of the British company Unilever.
